Viceroy’s Rolls-Royce Trendsetter For Indian Motorists, 1910 Advertisement
A rare 1910 advertisement claims the Viceroy sets the trend for motorists in India by buying a Rolls Royce car. The full statement reads – “His Excellency The Viceroy of India Has Now Set The Fashion For Motorists in India By Buying The Best Car In The World The Six-Cylinder Rolls-Royce.”
The advertisement also reproduces a letter sent to Rolls-Royce by the secretary to the viceroy. Declaring the excellent roadworthiness of the vehicle. The considerable distance it covered (7000 miles) without a single breakdown. Goes on to extol the vehicle’s immaculate condition and performance despite sometimes facing adverse road and weather conditions. The letter was written from the “Viceregal Lodge, Simla.”
Simla was the summer capital of British India for six months of the year. The Viceroy was then the Earl of Minto or Lord Minto. Besides the Rolls-Royce, there were many other brands of automobiles competing for a slice of the huge car market of British India. By 1911, there would be the Delhi Durbar, and the competition was expected to be more intense. Many British and other car manufacturers entered the market to try their luck. A number of other advertisements can be seen on the back.
Did you know- Rolls-Royce first entered the market in 1904, quickly developing a reputation for superior engineering by manufacturing the “best car in the world.”
From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma’s Goddess Laxmi 2 Postcards., British Plantation Owners Colonial India Era – Old Photo 1900.
